subject: Fix Your Laptop No Power Issues With Parts From eBay [print this page] Fix Your Laptop No Power Issues With Parts From eBay
Not too long ago, fixing or servicing a malfunctioning laptop was a task usually reserved for the manufacturer. With the advent of eBay and other auction or second hand market style websites a plethora of replacement parts has been made easily accessible to the average consumer. Listed below is a common laptop repair scenario and how parts from eBay can assist with its resolution.
So what can you do when your laptop no longer powers up? Check the power or charging status LEDs on your laptop and power supply brick (if it has a status LED). If you see a lit status led on the power brick and not the laptop then it may be the power receptacle on the laptop motherboard, or the motherboard itself. One way to make sure it is not the power brick is to always have a second power brick on hand. If you are able to determine that it is not the power brick then replacing the motherboard power receptacle or the entire motherboard would be your next options.
Replacement power receptacles can easily be found on eBay for most major brand laptops. Replacing one requires a bit more effort than just replacing the motherboard. You would have to dismantle the laptop, de-solder and remove the existing power receptacle and then solder in the replacement. Although the cost is higher, replacing the entire motherboard with a known good motherboard eliminates the possibility of the power receptacle not being the only issue. The other advantage to just replacing the entire motherboard is the time consuming process of dismantling a laptop. It can easily take 2-3 hours to dismantle and reassemble a laptop. If replacing the power receptacle does not resolve the power on issue then expect another 2-3 hour motherboard replacement cycle.
When searching eBay for a replacement motherboard, be sure to match up the model number, revisions and or features. Manufactures may have numerous flavors of a particular model of mother board. The flavor distinction is usually identified as either de-featured (DF) or full-featured (FF). An example might be that one version of the same motherboard might have a fire wire port while another version does not. Read the details of the sellers listing description and ask questions if the listing is vague.
Lastly, ask yourself if it is worth the time and money to repair a non-functioning laptop. The cost of new laptops and especially net books has recently hit sub $300 levels. It may be to your advantage to sell what you have for parts and then invest in something new.
